Dipsy

I don't name chickens. It makes it all the harder when the day of dispatch arrives and you know you have Peggy in the oven. I failed with this one.

Taking bets now. Male or female? Araucanas aren't easy to sex when they're young. This one has a weird habit of continually dipping it's head into the water container when it feeds. Does it like it's food wet or is it poultry OCD? Never mind, no alcohol administered but it's earned the name Dipsy.

Another week and I'll let them all out to destroy some weeds. Some of them have been out already. They used the hen house as a launch pad to get over the rigid security fencing that makes up their pen. Three returned without a problem. The fourth decided that the big green lawn next door was a better option. The dogs instinct was to retrieve it, which Maera did, unharmed but with a few less feathers, visibly sprouting from the corner of Cocoa's mouth. A roll of fruit cage netting resolved that instantly.

Neither dog chases chickens although both are trained to game. Araucanas may have a more gamey aspect in the eyes or scent of the dogs. They haven't harmed them but I'm keeping a close eye on them, especially Cocoa who thinks that flushing them is the best pastime ever! Not for long!!